While initially listed on Steam, Ashen was later announced as an Epic Games Store timed exclusive but was also later listed as a Microsoft Store and an Xbox One title as a timed exclusive as well. Developers also stated they had been influenced by the emergent multiplayer storytelling found in the video game DayZ. Art style influences were cited as initially including Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Legend of Zelda series. The 'passive' multiplayer element included the conversion of a human player companion into an AI controlled non-player character (NPC)s if they could be escorted to the home town of the main adventurer however such AI controlled NPCs were not guaranteed to be entirely benign. Multiplayer elements were described as 'passive', meaning that playing with a partner(s) is not mandated, and entirely optional, though certain situations require cooperative play AI (computer controlled) allies were also to be implemented. Combat was described as similar to the Dark Souls series, being high risk, with stamina being a major factor in combat. Much of the background, setting, and feel of the world was influenced by Cormac McCarthy's novel The Road. One in-world game element is an enemy known as the "Gnaw", which has the ability to erode the environment "like a searing acid". The world's geography and ecosystems were intended to be realistically modeled, to play into intelligent play styles within survival mechanisms additionally, natural geography was intended to be based on an underlying geology. Initially released 2014 design elements of the game included survivalist elements and elemental effects, such as the wind as a help or hindrance. During Microsoft's E3 2015 press conference, Ashen was revealed as an Xbox console launch exclusive being developed by Aurora44 (now A44) under the independent developer program. Initial publicity material for the game was released mid-2014. Ĭharacter growth is primarily dominated by equipment, rather than player 'stats' "Talismans", either found or crafted, are used to upgrade character abilities or provide other in-game perks. Combat includes ranged and melee weapons. Multiplayer elements include interactions with other players, which are incorporated into the game as providing traditional RPG elements such as crafting. Both combat and exploration in an open world were key design elements of the game. The game follows the Dark Souls-style mechanics and combat.
The game is presented in a third-person view, with a muted cel-shaded graphics presentation. Gameplay is described as including open-world exploration, co-operation or competition with other players, and combat with in-world monsters. The game is set in a sunless world and tells the story of a character seeking a home. Ashen is an action role-playing game developed by New Zealand studio A44 and published by Annapurna Interactive.
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